Page 10 of Zain

Her eyes bulged. “Um, I can’t wear that.”

“You’re the only woman in this entire compound. We won’t make it ten feet if you’re spotted.”

Rubbing her chafed wrists, she nodded. “Okay. But I’m wearing my clothes underneath.”

“That’s fine. Just hurry.”

She’d already stepped into the trousers and had the long tunic over her head before he could say more. He took in her long dark hair as she wound it at the base of her neck and secured it with an elastic she’d produced from her pocket.

Something flashed in her large blue eyes. He suspected she was balancing on the edge of sanity. Her hands shook as she held up the plain black turban the prisoner had surrendered. “I don’t know how to wear this.” Her voice was hollow. She looked up at him as if this would be the straw that’d kill them.

Tucking his weapon in its sheath, he took the material from her hands. “Come here.”

She stepped closer to him and her warm, feminine essence invaded his brain. Her presence was so soft, a sharp contrast to what he’d lived with for three years. She watched him warily as he wrapped the cloth around her head leaving a long tail tohang over her shoulder.

“Obviously you don’t have a beard, so we’ll be fucked if someone gets a good look at your face. Tuck this around your mouth.” He offered her the tail. “And stay at my side near the wall.”

She nodded solemnly.

“There’s a back way through the cave for emergency exits, but there are rooms at that end too. If we get stopped, well, I’ll have to kill whoever it is.”

Her breath hissed through her teeth. She caught his fingers, her hand tiny and alarmingly cold. “Zain... I’m sorry. I never meant to put you in danger.”

Once again, the use of his real name struck him like lightning. It’d been years since anyone called him that. Years since he identified with his true self. It sent him back in time. Questions sizzled on his tongue, but he swallowed them. If he got them both out of here in one piece, he’d get every detail from her.

He grunted. “I was in danger before you got here.” He paused then bent and removed a dagger from a sheath at his ankle. It was similar to the one Rakesh had. “Tuck this in your sleeve or against your side. Don’t use it unless you have to.” Hesitation filled him. He swallowed.

He had no intention of dying today. No intention of leaving a helpless woman to fend for herself against an army of murderers. But shit happened,and she had to know what she was up against. “And if something happens to me, cut your throat before they take you prisoner again.”

Tears immediately coated her eyelashes, and he almost wished he hadn’t spoken the words. What kind of animal had he become?

A predator, that’s what. Top of the food chain. Survival was all that mattered at this point.

“I mean it.” He caught her elbow and shook it. “If you think what Rakesh was going to do to you was bad, know that it’ll be far worse when they see he’s dead and you escaped. Don’t hesitate.”

The moisture spilled down her cheeks and he hardened his heart. “Do whatever I say.”

She dipped her chin in answer. He moved to the wooden cell door and eased it open. Voices sounded in the hall but weren’t close. He ushered her out of the cell then swiftly locked the door behind him.

If he could delay them finding Rakesh’s body, it would buy them a little extra time.

Keeping one palm on the handle of his machete, he grasped Dana’s elbow. Light from the flaming lanterns sent shapes and shadows to tango on the walls. He’d come this way several times and rarely encountered anyone this deep in the cave.

A few vehicles were parked out back. If they could make it there without being spotted, they might be able to get out of the compound before anyone found Rakesh or noticed the woman hadescaped.

He glanced down at her. She kept her head tucked and the scarf around her face as he’d instructed. Her movements were quick, and trepidation emanated from her body.

The exit came into view. Moonlight spilled into the cave, illuminating the corridor as far as its arms could reach. He paused at the threshold and eased the woman behind a large rock right at the entrance. Guards circled the property at all hours. He often left to visit his home outside the compound, but right now he was on duty, so it wasn’t permissible for him to leave.

Tension gripped his muscles. Voices sounded from inside the cave and Zain cursed. It didn’t sound as if they’d spotted Rakesh, but it was only a matter of time.

“See that vehicle?” He nodded toward a beat-up beige truck, similar to one that’d been used in the convoy earlier that day.

“Yes.”

If he wasn’t on his last nerve he’d commend her for the strength in her voice. “We’re going to move fast. I want you to go ahead of me and get inside. There’s usually blankets in the cab. Get in and cover up with whatever you can.”

She nodded. He held up his palm and glanced around the corners before waving her in front of him. With his rifle in hand, he followed her across the dirt terrain to the truck. He scanned thelandscape from east to west ensuring no one spotted them. The unoiled hinges squealed as she yanked open the driver’s side door and dove in the back.

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